{"209":{"title":"Six Nations","uri":"six-nations","id":"108","oid":"209","order":0,"hasData":1},"210":{"title":"Rugby World Cup","uri":"rugby-world-cup","id":"111","oid":"210","order":1,"hasData":1},"3":{"title":"International","uri":"internationals","id":"107","oid":"3","order":3,"hasData":1},"201":{"title":"Gallagher Premiership","uri":"premiership","id":"101","oid":"201","order":4,"hasData":1},"204":{"title":"United Rugby Championship","uri":"united-rugby-championship","id":"138","oid":"204","order":5,"hasData":1},"203":{"title":"TOP 14","uri":"top-14","id":"102","oid":"203","order":6,"hasData":1},"217":{"title":"U20 Six Nations","uri":"u20-six-nations","id":"217","oid":"217","order":7,"hasData":1},"211":{"title":"Pro D2","uri":"pro-d2","id":"119","oid":"211","order":8,"hasData":1},"208":{"title":"Bunnings NPC","uri":"bunnings-npc","id":"105","oid":"208","order":9,"hasData":1},"242":{"title":"Investec Champions Cup","uri":"european-champions-cup","id":"110","oid":"242","order":10,"hasData":1},"243":{"title":"Challenge Cup","uri":"challenge-cup","id":"118","oid":"243","order":11,"hasData":1},"340":{"title":"PWR","uri":"premiership-womens-rugby","id":"127","oid":"340","order":12,"hasData":1},"205":{"title":"Super Rugby Pacific","uri":"super-rugby","id":"104","oid":"205","order":13,"hasData":1},"207":{"title":"Currie Cup","uri":"currie-cup","id":"106","oid":"207","order":14,"hasData":1},"248":{"title":"Women's Six Nations","uri":"womens-six-nations","id":"125","oid":"248","order":16,"hasData":1},"274":{"title":"Women's Internationals","uri":"womens-internationals","id":"274","oid":"274","order":17,"hasData":1},"249":{"title":"Women's Rugby World Cup","uri":"womens-rugby-world-cup","id":"126","oid":"249","order":18,"hasData":1},"365":{"title":"Autumn Nations Series","uri":"autumn-nations-series","id":"124","oid":"365","order":19,"hasData":1},"2000":{"title":"Nations Championship","uri":"nations-championship","id":"2000","oid":"2000","order":20,"hasData":1},"1":{"title":"Rugby Hybrid Friendlies","uri":"rugby-hybrid-friendlies","id":"1","oid":"1","order":21,"hasData":1},"269":{"title":"Rugby Europe Championship","uri":"rugby-europe-championship","id":"269","oid":"269","order":22,"hasData":1},"221":{"title":"British & Irish Lions 2025","uri":"british-irish-lions","id":"113","oid":"221","order":23,"hasData":1},"214":{"title":"The Rugby Championship","uri":"the-rugby-championship","id":"109","oid":"214","order":24,"hasData":1},"141":{"title":"Super Rugby Pacific","uri":"super-rugby-pacific","id":"141","oid":"141","order":25,"hasData":1},"216":{"title":"World Rugby Junior World Championship","uri":"world-rugby-u20-championship","id":"216","oid":"216","order":25,"hasData":1},"219":{"title":"Pacific Nations Cup","uri":"pacific-nations-cup","id":"219","oid":"219","order":26,"hasData":1},"120":{"title":"Pacific Four Series","uri":"pacific-four-series","id":"120","oid":"120","order":27,"hasData":1},"862":{"title":"WXV 1","uri":"wxv-1","id":"862","oid":"862","order":29,"hasData":1},"863":{"title":"WXV 2","uri":"wxv-2","id":"863","oid":"863","order":30,"hasData":1},"864":{"title":"WXV 3","uri":"wxv-3","id":"864","oid":"864","order":31,"hasData":1},"151":{"title":"Major League Rugby","uri":"major-league-rugby","id":"131","oid":"151","order":32,"hasData":1},"116":{"title":"Premiership Cup","uri":"premiership-cup","id":"116","oid":"116","order":34,"hasData":1}}
38 - 19
FT
51 - 25
FT
24 - 25
FT
54 - 28
FT
24 - 34
FT
29 - 14
FT
17 - 27
FT
36 - 36
FT
27 - 27
FT
7 - 38
FT
21 - 43
FT
33 - 40
FT
14 - 39
FT
27 - 47
FT
56 - 20
FT
21 - 40
FT
23 - 48
FT
49 - 12
FT
45 - 36
FT
31 - 14
FT
47 - 14
FT
33 - 25
FT
14 - 32
FT
14 - 26
FT
38 - 28
FT
29 - 27
FT
57 - 19
FT
41 - 17
FT
43 - 40
FT
18 - 9
FT
28 - 12
FT
Thursday
21:00
Friday
19:30
Friday
19:30
Friday
19:30
Friday
19:30
Friday
20:45
Friday
20:45
Friday
20:45
Friday
20:45
Friday
20:45
Friday
21:00
Friday
21:00
Saturday
07:50
Saturday
13:45
Saturday
14:30
Saturday
16:00
Saturday
16:00
Saturday
16:05
Saturday
16:35
Saturday
16:35
Saturday
16:35
Saturday
16:35
Saturday
18:30
Saturday
19:00
Saturday
20:00
Saturday
21:00

Reds surprise with flyhalf against Lions

By Online Editors
Thursday 6 Feb 2020

TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: Reds coach Brad Thorn has made four changes to the starting XV for Saturday’s Super Rugby Round Two match against the Lions in Johannesburg.

ADVERTISEMENT

Utility back James O’Connor switches from inside centre to flyhalf – his second start in the Reds’ No.10 jersey, after he made his Queensland debut in the same position back in Round Three of the 2015 Super Rugby season.

Hamish Stewart comes off the bench and slots into the vacant number-12 spot, while lock Izack Rodda will also earn his first start of the season.

Alex Mafi will start at hooker following an ankle injury to Brandon Paenga-Amosa during last week’s clash in Canberra.

Following consultation in Brisbane, Paenga-Amosa will be sidelined for the next six-to-eight weeks after suffering ligament damage.

In one-of-four changes to the bench, potential Super Rugby debutant Sean Farrell comes into the 23 as a replacement at hooker

Prop Josh Nasser has also been brought in this week, and like Farrell, could possibly make his Queensland debut as well.

ADVERTISEMENT

After Saturday’s game against the Lions, the Reds travel to Argentina to take on the Jaguares in the final leg of their three-week road trip – before returning home to host the Sunwolves in Brisbane on Saturday, February 22.

  • See coach Brad Thorn and captain Liam Wright’s views below …

Reds: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Jock Campbell, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Hamish Stewart, 11 Henry Speight, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Liam Wright (captain), 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 Jean-Pierre Smith.
Replacements: 16 Sean Farrell, 17 Dane Zander, 18 Josh Nasser, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Seru Uru, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Isaac Lucas, 23 Hunter Paisami.

Date: Saturday, February 8
Venue: Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT; 23.00 Brisbane time)
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Cwengile Jadezweni (South Africa), Griffon Colby (South Africa)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)

Related articles

Preview: Super Rugby, Round Two, Part One
It is a ‘patience’ game at Newlands
Australia’s next playmaker?
Jaguares humbling was ‘good’ for the Lions
Stormers live in a ‘pretty big glass house’
‘Mean-spirited’ Hurricanes not good for the game

Video Spacer
ADVERTISEMENT

Trending

1
Wallabies' Bledisloe crash reaffirms Boks, All Blacks as only real RWC 2027 contenders
2
Lions show courage after tragedy in defeat to Stade Rochelais
3
Top dogs deliver on emotional weekend for SA rugby

Join free

Has Beauden Barrett Just Secured His World Cup Place? | Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 36

KOKO Show | 13 October 2026 | WALLABIES BROUGHT CRASHING BACK TO EARTH! All Blacks Deliver Bledisloe Reality Check!

What Rugby Fans Don't See: Ben O'Keeffe on Life Under Pressure | ARP Extra

What Did the All Blacks’ Big Win Prove? | Episode 35 | Aotearoa Rugby Pod

Canada v England | WXV Global Series

MLR Weekly: New England Owner Errik Anderson re expansion/future, MLR News, College Rugby Corner

Spain v South Africa | WXV Global Series 2026 | Match Highlights

Chile v Hong Kong China | U20 Challenger 2026 | Match Highlights

Belgium v Portugal | U20 Challenger 2026 | Match Highlights

Recommended

Write A Comment

Trending

1
Wallabies' Bledisloe crash reaffirms Boks, All Blacks as only real RWC 2027 contenders
2
Lions show courage after tragedy in defeat to Stade Rochelais
3
Top dogs deliver on emotional weekend for SA rugby